Thief returns package, apologizes after social media shaming

A Utah man receives his property and letter of apology after posting images of the man who stole package from his front steps.

Author:
Anderw Adams, KSL (NBC) , KPNX

Published:
9:37 AM MST December 2, 2017

The social media shaming of a man who stole a package from a Riverton, Utah porch appears to have worked.

Homeowner Shawn Kojima now has his property back, along with a letter of apology.

Kojima said the letter, penned in red ink, appeared along with the package and a small stuffed animal.

"To whom it may concern, I am writing you this letter to apologize for the scumbag move I made the other day," the sender of the letter wrote. "When ringing the doorbell, that was not my intentions. I was looking to ask if your vinyl fence was for sale. I do not know what came over me. It will never happen again. Once again I am truly sorry for my inconvenience and selfish ways. If you ever need anything I will be at your service."

Kojima said when he was notified Friday that his package had arrived, but it was nowhere to be found on his doorstep. He consulted his security cameras. Only one man came to his door between the time the package was delivered and when he discovered it was no longer there.

Kojima said he reported the incident to Unified Police Department on Saturday, and an officer recommended he post the video or images of the man on social media. Within several hours, commenters on Facebook were providing possible name and address information as well as potential sightings of the man shown in the video.